Could the Cubs have had the guy who leads the majors in saves right now and prevented the developing Carlos Zambrano soap opera in the bullpen? ''It was pretty close,'' Matt Capps said a few hours before pitching a 1-2-3 ninth against the Cubs on Wednesday for his 10th save in 10 chances for the Nationals. ''It was here or Washington.'' Just how close he might have been to signing as a free agent with the Cubs last winter is at least open to some debate, considering the Cubs weren't ready to make a firm offer by the time Capps felt he needed to make a decision and accepted a one-year, $3.5 million deal and a just-as-significant promise to close for the Nats. But lobbying from former Pittsburgh Pirates teammate John Grabow and the thought of pitching for a possible contender made it tempting for Capps, the former Pirates closer, to consider waiting for the Cubs to resolve some other business. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/2213870,CST-SPT-csep29.article
